Strong winds sweep across Southern California

LAKE BALBOA, Calif. (KABC) -- Dangerous Santa Ana winds are howling across Southern California, stirring up the dust and surf, and toppling trees.

Along the beach, palm fronds, eucalyptus branches and tumbleweeds were observed blowing across Pacific Coast Highway at 8 a.m. The wind also sent sizable tumbleweeds rolling in some parts of the San Fernando Valley.

Six kayakers were blown a mile out to sea, and rescued by squid fishing boat crews off the coast of Malibu Sunday as 50 mile per hour Santa Ana winds cropped up. Sustained winds of 47 miles per hour, and a gust of 81 mph, were recorded in the hills above Malibu.

In Lake Balboa, a tree toppled over. A pick-up was in its path, but the appliances in the back saved the truck from being crushed.

Winds howled in Chino, knocking down a fence and filling the air with dust and dirt. Firefighters also had a hard time battling a wood chip fire at a recycling yard.

Sunday's breezy conditions were expected to turn blustery Monday. Red flag warnings were scheduled to go back up in the mountain and pass areas of Los Angeles and Orange counties starting Sunday evening.

The valley floors, coastal plain and most of the urban areas were only getting a high wind warning.

The winds, dry air and warm weather was expected to last through Wednesday, the NWS said.

CNS contributed to this report.